It’s just the latest breakthrough from an unconventional UK brand that engineers ancient pipe dreams into actual modern marvels. Close-up of a black metal tool with a knurled brass adjustment knob and a brass hex screw. Based in Leeds, England, a curious little outfit called MetMo has found success in an unusual lane. See, their bread and butter is identifying bright ideas from the past that were not possible with the technology availabile at the time. At less than three ounces, the aluminum variant of the Pocket Grip is the lightest of three, and also the most affordable. Their engineers then bring these sui generis mechanical concepts to life in their best possible form with modern materials and manufacturing. With roots dating back more than a century, the innovative new Pocket Grip might be the most impressive example yet, at least as far as Kickstarter is concerned. Inherent vise We must travel back to 1913 to pinpoint the origins of the Pocket Grip, as that is the year one J. Anderson’s patent application for a double-ended parallel wrench was approved. While it never quite caught on, MetMo has used its silhouette as the basis for a remarkably compact and efficient new multi-tool where, as Yanko Design cleverly points out, “every surface has a purpose.” The Pocket Grip is at once more compact, versatile and tough than any well-intentioned predecessors. At the heart is a hex drive zone, with serrated pliers, an edge nipping point and a V-groove for square drive tools emerging out of it. However, the Pocket Grip’s real killer app, and the presumed driving force behind the Kickstarter campaign raising well over $600,000 in just a few days, is the adaptive parallel jaws that come directly from MetMo’s pre-existing Fractal Vise tech. As the Pocket Grip’s name indicates, the most compelling feature is the Fractal Vise-derived adaptive parallel jaws. Shrunk down to fit into this palm-sized multi-tool, the interlocking jaws still impress with their ability to accommodate just about any odd shape you can imagine. A key engineering element here is the fact that one jaw’s position stays fixed while the other adjusts, with the two pieces staying parallel up to an opening width of 20mm (0.79 inches). The result is a level of clamping stability that crushes what standard pliers can do, as somewhat indicated by MetMo’s own cheeky GIFs. The jaws can grip just about anything , assuming it has a protruding element that’s a bit narrower than an inch. Staying true to its name, the Pocket Grip measures 3.75″ x 1.75″ x 0.4″ and in the lightest and most affordable of three incarnations, aerospace-grade aluminum, weighs just 2.95 ounces. For additional cash, you can upgrade the body material to stainless steel or grade-5 titanium, with all three versions having jaws machined from hardened stainless steel that is heat-treated for maximum toughness and edge retention. All versions of the Pocket Grip have jaws machined from hardened, heat-treated stainless steel. In addition to a level of precision-machining and fidget-friendliness that perhaps only the titanium-obsessed mad scientists at Titaner can match, the Pocket Grip rises to the challenge in a wide range of DIY scenarios. The greatest everyday appeal is around the house, garage and workshop, gripping whatever object seemingly nothing else can, especially considering the fact it can apply more than 46 pounds of clamping force with just finger pressure. The Pocket Grip is small enough to fit in an EDC-sized pouch, alongside all your other MetMo-made tools, of course. Beyond that it’s an ideal third hand for model makers and miniatures painters, it can be a compact wrench and driver for cyclists and the V-groove can hold 3mm to 6mm square drive tools such as drill bits, which can come in handy during detail-oriented projects.As a bonus, MetMo is so confident in the Pocket Grip’s durability, it offers a 200-year guarantee, ensuring a tool with roots in the early 20th century will keep on cranking well into the 23rd. Availability and pricing The MetMo Pocket Grip is available now on Kickstarter in aluminum, stainless steel and titanium variants starting at $133. Estimated delivery is December 2026 Three metal clamps with gold-colored adjustment screws, two in silver finish and one in black, standing upright on a white surface. About the Author: Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height. Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results. add as a preferred source on google